CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en"> <head>  <title>Independent Forum for Resolving Complaints</title> <meta name="title" content="Independent Forum for Resolving Complaints"> <meta name="description" content="If you have a complaint about the editorial content of a newspaper, magazine or periodical in circulation in New Zealand (including their websites) you may complain to the Media Council."> <meta name="date.created" content="2007-02-14"> <meta name="date.modified" content="2025-03-14"> <meta name="robots" content="index,follow,max-image-preview:large,max-snippet:-1,max-video-preview:-1"> <meta name="generator" content="https://www.oncord.com/"> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.mediacouncil.org.nz/" /> <meta itemprop="name" content="Independent Forum for Resolving Complaints"> <meta itemprop="description" content="If you have a complaint about the editorial content of a newspaper, magazine or periodical in circulation in New Zealand (including their websites) you may complain to the Media Council."> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary"> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Independent Forum for Resolving Complaints"> <meta name="twitter:description" content="If you have a complaint about the editorial content of a newspaper, magazine or periodical in circulation in New Zealand (including their websites) you may complain to the Media Council."> <meta property="og:url" content="https://www.mediacouncil.org.nz/"> <meta property="og:title" content="Independent Forum for Resolving Complaints"> <meta property="og:description" content="If you have a complaint about the editorial content of a newspaper, magazine or periodical in circulation in New Zealand (including their websites) you may complain to the Media Council."> <meta property="og:site_name" content="Media Council"> <meta property="og:type" content="website"> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/_public/Framework/Assets/CSS/server.php?css=1860138589&v=e6e9325a8c0a65d498a1a961ffd24d9b53d4ceb3" /> <link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" href="https://www.mediacouncil.org.nz/feeds/posts/rss/?post_category_id=6" title="Posts > Principles via RSS" /> <link rel="alternate" type="application/atom+xml" href="https://www.mediacouncil.org.nz/feeds/posts/atom/?post_category_id=6" title="Posts > Principles via Atom" /> <link rel="alternate" type="application/xml" href="https://www.mediacouncil.org.nz/feeds/posts/xml/?post_category_id=6" title="Posts > Principles via XML" /> <link rel="alternate" type="application/json" href="https://www.mediacouncil.org.nz/feeds/posts/json/?post_category_id=6" title="Posts via JSON" /> <meta charset="utf-8" /> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0, maximum-scale=1.0, minimum-scale=1.0, user-scalable=no" /> <meta name="HandheldFriendly" content="true" /> <meta name="google-site-verification" content="0BcnkQ23riUS1041GRDCslPsdgglOiJxWvcQec36928" /> <meta name="msvalidate.01" content="708030859CDC4CCEBC521208746F67F3" /> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.gstatic.com"> <link href="//fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Open+Sans:ital,wght@0,400;0,600;0,700;1,400;1,600&display=swap" rel="stylesheet"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="57x57" href="/media/website_designs/1/favicons/apple-icon-57x57.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="60x60" href="/media/website_designs/1/favicons/apple-icon-60x60.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="72x72" href="/media/website_designs/1/favicons/apple-icon-72x72.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="76x76" href="/media/website_designs/1/favicons/apple-icon-76x76.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="114x114" href="/media/website_designs/1/favicons/apple-icon-114x114.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="120x120" href="/media/website_designs/1/favicons/apple-icon-120x120.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="144x144" href="/media/website_designs/1/favicons/apple-icon-144x144.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="152x152" href="/media/website_designs/1/favicons/apple-icon-152x152.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="180x180" href="/media/website_designs/1/favicons/apple-icon-180x180.png"> <link rel="icon" type="image/png" sizes="192x192" href="/media/website_designs/1/favicons/android-icon-192x192.png"> <link rel="icon" type="image/png" sizes="32x32" href="/media/website_designs/1/favicons/favicon-32x32.png"> <link rel="icon" type="image/png" sizes="96x96" href="/media/website_designs/1/favicons/favicon-96x96.png"> <link rel="icon" type="image/png" sizes="16x16" href="/media/website_designs/1/favicons/favicon-16x16.png"> <link rel="manifest" href="/media/website_designs/1/favicons/manifest.json"> <meta name="msapplication-TileColor" content="#b1081d"> <meta name="msapplication-TileImage" content="/media/website_designs/1/favicons/ms-icon-144x144.png"> <meta name="theme-color" content="#b1081d"> <style type="text/css"> :root{ /* Colours */ --black:black; --white:white; --dark-gray:#333; --medium-gray:#999; --light-gray:#ccc; --off-white:#f0f0f0; --primary-color:#B1081D; --secondary-color:#F2EA3F; /* Global */ --global-spacing:2rem; --global-radius:4px; /* Animations */ --duration:300ms; --timing:ease; } /* Oncord Overrides ----------------------------------------------- */ .s8-templates-row, .s8-templates-column{overflow:visible} .s8-templates-section-contentsize-sm{max-width:832px} .s8-templates-section-contentsize-md, .container-max{max-width:1140px;margin:auto !important} .s8-templates-row-container{margin:-1rem} .s8-templates-column{padding:1rem} .templateContainer--websitePosts-list-card{justify-content:left} .s8-templates-button{min-width:auto;line-height:1} .formRow{margin:0;background:none;padding:0;color:inherit} .formRowCol2 input[type=text],.formRowCol2 input[type=password],.formRowCol2 textarea{width:100%} .s8-ProductGalleryNav{display:none} /* Add a box around forms */ #customers_contacts_login, #customers_contacts_profile, #commerce_cart, #commerce_community_register_form, #commerce_customers_contacts_login, #commerce_cart_shipping_form, #order_form{padding:var(--global-spacing);box-shadow:0 1em 2em rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.18);border-radius:var(--global-radius)} .post-list-card.s8-templates-card{box-shadow:0 1em 2em rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.18) !important} /* HTML */ *, *::before, *::after{box-sizing:inherit} html{touch-action:manipulation;-ms-touch-action:manipulation;-webkit-text-size-adjust:100%;-ms-text-size-adjust:100%;font-size:16px;box-sizing:border-box;scroll-behavior:smooth} @media (max-width:700px){html{font-size:14px}} img{max-width:100%} /* Body */ body{background:var(--white);font-family:'Open Sans', sans-serif;color:#777;font-weight:normal;font-size:1rem;line-height:1.5;margin:0;text-rendering:optimizeLegibility;-moz-osx-font-smoothing:grayscale;-webkit-font-smoothing:antialiased} body.menuOpen{margin-left:-250px} body:not(.home-page)::after{background-image:url(/media/website_designs/1/button.png);background-repeat:no-repeat;content:"";position:fixed;right:0;bottom:0;z-index:-1;width:400px;height:400px} p{margin-block-start:0;margin-top:0rem;margin-block-end:0;margin-bottom:30px} /* Links */ a{transition:var(--duration) var(--timing);text-decoration:none;color:var(--primary-color)} p a:not(.button){text-decoration:underline;color:#151414} p a:not(.button):hover{color:var(--primary-color)} /* Typography */ .h1,.h2,.h3,.h4,.h5, h1,h2,h3,h4,h5{font-family:'Open Sans',sans-serif;color:var(--dark-gray);-webkit-font-smoothing:antialiased;-moz-osx-font-smoothing:grayscale;margin-top:0} h1:first-child,h2:first-child,h3:first-child,h4:first-child,h5:first-child,p:first-child,ul:first-child,ol:first-child{margin-top:0} h1:last-child,h2:last-child,h3:last-child,h4:last-child,h5:last-child,p:last-child,ul:last-child,ol:last-child{margin-bottom:0} h1{font-weight:400;font-size:2.5rem;line-height:1.200;margin:1.75rem 0} h2{font-weight:400;font-size:2.0rem;line-height:1.500;margin:1.6rem 0} h3{font-weight:400;font-size:1.5rem;line-height:1.333;margin:0.8rem 0} h4{font-weight:400;font-size:1.5rem;line-height:1.300;margin:0.8rem 0;color:var(--primary-color)} h5{font-weight:400;font-size:1.0rem;line-height:1.550;margin:0.8rem 0} p big,ul big,ol big{font-size:125%;line-height:1.4} hr{margin:var(--global-spacing) 0;border:0;border-top:1px solid var(--light-gray)} .hidden{display:none !important} /* News */ [itemprop="headline"]{color:var(--primary-color) !important;font-size:1.25rem !important} [itemprop="description"]{background:#fff !important;font-size:1rem !important;font-weight:300} .post-list-classic .post-list-classic__content p a[itemprop="url"]{color:#B1091D !important;text-decoration:none;display:inline-block;border:2px solid #B1091D;padding:7px 25px} /* Cards */ .s8-templates-card{box-shadow:none !important} .s8-templates-card p{margin-bottom:0.625rem} /* FAQs */ .s8-faq .s8-faq__heading{margin-top:0;font-size:1rem} .s8-faq .s8-faq__labelContainer{padding:1.875rem;border-radius:1px} .s8-faq .s8-faq__heading__arrow{width:8px;height:8px} .s8-faq .s8-faq__text{padding-top:1.25rem} /* Buttons */ .button{cursor:pointer;position:relative;display:inline-flex;overflow:hidden;justify-content:center} .button:hover:before{content:'';animation:scrollAcross 0.4s;animation-fill-mode:forwards;position:absolute;left:50%;border-radius:50%;transform:translateX(-50%) translateY(-50%);top:50%;width:0;height:0;background-color:currentColor;opacity:0.5} span.s8-templates-button-container, .button{color:#B2091D !important;text-align:center;padding:0.9375rem !important;background-color:#ffffff !important;border-radius:0 !important;border:2px solid #B2091D !important;margin:0;opacity:1;outline:none;font-size:14px;font-weight:600;letter-spacing:.0625em;text-transform:uppercase;transition:all 300ms ease} .button.disabled{opacity:0.35} .button.small{padding:.75rem 1.25rem .85rem;font-size:.8125rem} button::-moz-focus-inner{border:0;padding:0} /* Forms */ input[type="text"],input[type="password"],input[type="date"],input[type="datetime"],input[type="datetime-local"],input[type="month"],input[type="week"],input[type="email"],input[type="number"],input[type="search"],input[type="tel"],input[type="time"],input[type="url"],input[type="color"],textarea{-webkit-appearance:none;border-radius:0;background-color:#F6F6F6;font-family:inherit;border-style:solid;border-width:2px;border-color:#ddd;box-shadow:none;color:rgba(0,0,0,0.75);display:block;font-size:.875rem;margin:0 0 1.875rem 0;padding:.9375rem;height:3.625rem;width:100%;box-sizing:border-box;transition:all .15s linear} input[type="text"]:focus,input[type="password"]:focus,input[type="date"]:focus,input[type="datetime"]:focus,input[type="datetime-local"]:focus,input[type="month"]:focus,input[type="week"]:focus,input[type="email"]:focus,input[type="number"]:focus,input[type="search"]:focus,input[type="tel"]:focus,input[type="time"]:focus,input[type="url"]:focus,input[type="color"]:focus,textarea:focus{background:transparent;border-color:#B1081D;outline:none} input[type="text"]:disabled,input[type="password"]:disabled,input[type="date"]:disabled,input[type="datetime"]:disabled,input[type="datetime-local"]:disabled,input[type="month"]:disabled,input[type="week"]:disabled,input[type="email"]:disabled,input[type="number"]:disabled,input[type="search"]:disabled,input[type="tel"]:disabled,input[type="time"]:disabled,input[type="url"]:disabled,input[type="color"]:disabled,textarea:disabled{background-color:#ddd;cursor:default} select{-webkit-appearance:none !important;background-color:#FAFAFA;background-image:url(data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgeD0iMTJweCIgeT0iMHB4IiB3aWR0aD0iMjRweCIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzcHgiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCA2IDMiIGVuYWJsZS1iYWNrZ3JvdW5kPSJuZXcgMCAwIDYgMyIgeG1sOnNwYWNlPSJwcmVzZXJ2ZSI+PHBvbHlnb24gcG9pbnRzPSI1Ljk5MiwwIDIuOTkyLDMgLTAuMDA4LDAgIi8+PC9zdmc+);background-position:100% center;background-repeat:no-repeat;border-style:solid;border-width:2px;border-color:#ddd;padding:.9375rem;font-size:.875rem;font-family:"Open Sans",sans-serif;color:rgba(0,0,0,0.75);line-height:normal;border-radius:0;height:3.625rem;width:100%} select:hover{background-color:#f3f3f3;border-color:#B1081D} input[type="file"],input[type="checkbox"],input[type="radio"],select{margin:0 0 1.875rem 0} textarea[rows]{height:auto;} /* NZ Media Council FORMS */ @supports (-webkit-backdrop-filter:none) or (backdrop-filter:none) { .form{-webkit-backdrop-filter:blur(6px) !important;backdrop-filter:blur(6px) !important;background-color:rgba(255,255,255,0.6) !important} } .form{border:solid 2px #ddd;background-color:#fff} .form .form__title{padding-bottom:.875rem;margin-bottom:0.875rem;font-size:1.5rem;font-weight:normal;text-transform:none;color:#333;border-bottom:solid 2px #ddd;line-height:inherit} .form .form__title:not(legend){margin-bottom:2.8125rem} .form .form__subtitle{margin:0 0 .875rem;padding-bottom:.9375rem;font-size:1.2rem;font-weight:normal;text-transform:none;color:#333;line-height:inherit} .form .formRowLabel, .form label{margin-bottom:.46875rem;font-weight:600;letter-spacing:.0625em;text-transform:uppercase;display:block;font-size:.875rem;color:var(--dark-gray)} .form fieldset{margin:0.875rem 0.875rem;border:none;padding:1.25rem} .form:not(:has(fieldset)){padding:2.125rem 2.1875rem} .form .formRowDescription{margin-bottom:.46875rem} .form .checkbox{margin:0;display:flex;flex-flow:row wrap} .form .checkbox input[type="checkbox"]{margin:0 10px 0 0} .form .s8-checkbox-wrapper{display:flex} .form .form__description{margin-top:-5px;font-size:.875rem;text-align:left} .form .form__fields{text-align:left} .form .form__fields input[type="checkbox"], .form .form__fields input[type="radio"]{margin:0 10px 0.9375rem 0} .form .form__fields input[type="file"]{margin-bottom:0} .form .form__termsbox{height:480px;padding:1.875rem 1.875rem 0;margin:1.875rem -1.875rem;overflow-y:scroll;text-align:left;border-top:solid 2px #ddd;border-bottom:solid 2px #ddd} .form .form__termsbox h5{font-weight:600} .form .form__termsbox p{font-size:.875rem} .form .form__termsbox ol{font-size:.875rem} .form .form__termsbox ol li{padding:0 .625rem .9375rem} .form .form__termsbox ol ol{padding:.9375rem 0 0 1.25rem;margin:0;list-style:lower-alpha} .form .form__termsbox ol ol li:last-child{padding-bottom:0} .form .form__termsbox ol ol ol{list-style-type:lower-roman} .form .form__spacer{height:2px;margin:2rem -2.25rem;background-color:#ddd} .form .form__submit{text-align:right} .form .form__submit button{margin-bottom:-1.875rem} .form .form__submit a.button-outline-primary{margin:0} @media (max-width:700px){ .form .form__submit{text-align:left;margin-top:1.875rem} } div.form{padding:1.875rem 1.875rem 2.8125rem} /* Tables */ table{width:100%;border-collapse:collapse} table thead th{background:var(--off-white)} table td, table th{padding:0.5rem;vertical-align:middle} .dialogBoxOpen h3{color:var(--primary-color);margin-bottom:12px} .dialogBoxOpen .formRow{padding-right:0;padding-left:0} /* Tabs */ ul.tablistTabs{overflow:hidden;border-bottom:1px solid #232323} ul.tablistTabs li, ul.tablistTabs li.active{padding:1rem 2rem} ul.tablistTabs li.active{padding:1rem 2rem;background:#525252;color:#fff} ol{padding-left:28px} /* @media (max-width:769px){ .s8-templates-section-content ul li{width:50%} } @media (max-width:500px){ .s8-templates-section-content ul li{width:100%} } */ /* Helpers ----------------------------------------------- */ .muted{opacity:0.6} .list-unstyled{padding:0;margin:0;list-style:none} ul ol,ul ul,ol ul,ol ol{padding-left:40px;} /* Hide Oncord edit buttons when printing */ @media print{ #oncordLiveEditContainer{display:none;} } /* Utility classes*/ .no-margin{margin:0} .no-padding{padding:0} .cleaned .formRow{background-color:transparent;margin-bottom:0} .formRowCol2 input, .formRowCol2 textarea{margin-bottom:0} .gradient{background:#B1081D} .cssReveal{opacity:0;transition:opacity 0.3s ease-in-out} .cssReveal.show{opacity:1} /* S8 Button*/ .s8-templates-button-container{border-radius:var(--global-radius) !important} /* shared page layouts */ .rulings__list{padding:0;margin:0;list-style:none;border-top:solid 2px #ddd;text-align:left;margin-bottom:1rem} .rulings__list li{border-bottom:solid 2px #ddd} .rulings__list li a{display:flex;padding:1.07143rem .9375rem 1.10294rem;color:#555;transition:background 0.3s ease-in-out} .rulings__list li a:hover{background-color:#eee} .rulings__list .rulings__case, .rulings__list .rulings__title{margin:0;font-size:.875rem;text-transform:none} .rulings__list p{margin-bottom:0} .white-space{white-space:break-spaces} small{font-size:80%;line-height:inherit} .row{display:flex;align-items:first baseline;width:auto;margin-left:-0.9375rem;margin-right:-0.9375rem;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;max-width:none} .column, .columns{position:relative;padding-left:.9375rem;padding-right:.9375rem} /* custom grid */ .small-1{width:8.33333%} .small-2{width:16.66667%} .small-3{width:25%} .small-4{width:33.33333%} .small-5{width:41.66667%} .small-6{width:50%} .small-7{width:58.33333%} .small-8{width:66.66667%} .small-9{width:75%} .small-10{width:83.33333%} .small-11{width:91.66667%} .small-12{width:100%} @media only screen and (min-width:40.063em) { .medium-1{width:8.33333%} .medium-2{width:16.66667%} .medium-3{width:25%} .medium-4{width:33.33333%} .medium-5{width:41.66667%} .medium-6{width:50%} .medium-7{width:58.33333%} .medium-8{width:66.66667%} .medium-9{width:75%} .medium-10{width:83.33333%} .medium-11{width:91.66667%} .medium-12{width:100%} .medium-text-right{text-align:right !important} } /* Mobile ----------------------------------------------- */ @media( max-width:768px ){ :root{--global-spacing:1rem} } .standard-banner{min-height:480px} /* Footer ----------------------------------------------- */ .footer{overflow:hidden} .footer a{color:inherit} .footer-menu{width:100%;max-width:1100px;padding:0;overflow:hidden;display:inline-block} .footer-menu li{padding:0;float:left} .footer-menu li a{padding-left:20px;display:block;text-transform:uppercase;font-size:12px;font-weight:bold;color:#2e131b} .footerContent p{color:#2e131b;opacity:0.5} .footerContent a{color:#2e131b;opacity:0.5;font-size:13px} .footerContent a:hover{color:#2e131b;opacity:0.9} /* .recommendation .product-list-custom__price{font-size:16px;font-family:'Chivo', sans-serif} .recommendation .product-list-custom__price strong{font-weight:normal} .recommendation h3{font-size:23px} */ .product-list-custom .product-list-custom__link{box-shadow:0 12px 20px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.18)} .copyright{padding-top:20px;font-size:12px} .copyright span{opacity:0.6} .copyright img{padding-left:8px;margin-bottom:-8px} /* Post Repeater */ /* [itemprop="datePublished"]{display:none} .dataShowMoreContainer{display:none} */ .post-list-linear__container{border-bottom:0px solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15);background:rgba(231,229,208,0.5)} [itemprop="headline"]{color:rgba(148,129,40,0.69);font-weight:normal;font-size:inherit;text-transform:uppercase} [itemprop="description"]{font-size:125%; line-height:1.6;background:rgba(231,229,208,0.5)} .testimonials-description{padding-left:70px;font-size:125%;line-height:1.6;color:#58585B} .testimonials-postTitle{color:#6cbd43;font-weight:normal;font-size:16px;text-transform:uppercase;margin-top:2rem} .testimonials-description.services{color:#FFFFFF;font-size:2.25rem;line-height:1.388;font-weight:300;text-align:center;margin:0;padding:0} .first-quote{position:absolute;top:0;left:2px} #textintheway{font-weight:normal} .exportLink {display: none;} .copyData {float: right; color: #B2091D; background: none; border: none; margin-bottom: 1rem; cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold;} /* CTA section */ .section-cta .s8-templates-column{text-align:center} .section-cta h4{color:#fff} .section-cta p{margin-bottom:20px} .section-cta span.s8-templates-button-container{color:#fff !important;text-align:center;padding:15px !important;background-color:#B2091D !important;border-radius:0 !important;border:2px solid #fff !important} .footerContent h6{margin:0 0 30px;font-size:1.125rem;font-weight:400;color:#333} .footerContent strong{font-weight:bold} .footerContent ul{padding-left:2px;display:flex;gap:1rem} .footerContent li, .footerContent p{list-style:none;font-size:13px} .footerContent img{display:block;float:left;margin-right:18px} </style> </head> <body class="home-page"> <style> /* Custom Header & Navigation */ .s8-navigationPrimary li ul li { color:#ffffff; } .header {display:flex;align-items:center;position:relative} .branding {} .branding > a {padding:30px 0;display:flex;align-items:center} .branding .logo {max-width:15em;max-height:10em} .branding .te-reo {font-size:8px;font-weight:700;white-space:nowrap} .s8-navigationPrimary li a {border:0;border-color:transparent;font-size:14px;font-weight:400;color:#fff;display:block;letter-spacing:.05rem;line-height:20px;margin:0 20px;min-height:80px;padding:20px 0;position:relative;text-align:center;text-transform:uppercase} .s8-navigationPrimary li a span {opacity:0.65;display:block;font-size:12px;text-transform:uppercase;white-space:nowrap} .main-navigation {width:100%;background:#B1081D} .main-navigation li {list-style:none} .main-navigation li a.active, .main-navigation li a:hover {color:#ffffff; opacity:0.8} .main-navigation .s8-navigationPrimary li a::after {position:absolute;bottom:0;left:0;right:0;content:"";width:0;height:0;border-left:30px solid transparent;border-right:30px solid transparent;border-bottom:30px solid #fff;margin:auto;-moz-transition:bottom .3s ease;-o-transition:bottom .3s ease;-webkit-transition:bottom .3s ease;transition:all .3s ease;transform:translatey(30px)} .main-navigation .s8-navigationPrimary--displayStateMobile.s8-navigationPrimary li a::after {display:none} .main-navigation .s8-navigationPrimary--displayStateMobile.s8-navigationPrimary li.s8-navigationPrimaryItem--active.current a {text-decoration:underline} li.s8-navigationPrimaryItem--active.current a::after, .main-navigation .s8-navigationPrimary li:hover a::after {transform:translatey(15px)} li.s8-navigationPrimaryItem--active.current a {opacity:1} /* Secondary menu*/ .secondary-menu {position:absolute;bottom:1rem;right:1rem} .secondary-menu li {display:inline-block;float:right} .secondary-menu li a {padding:10px 15px;text-transform:uppercase} .secondary-menu li:before {content:"•";display:inline-block;margin:0 .5rem;color:#C5C6C8} .secondary-menu li:last-child:before {content:""} .tertiary-menu {width:100%;display:block;text-align:center;position:sticky;top:0;z-index:999;border-bottom:solid 1px #eee;background-color:#fff} .tertiary-menu { rgba(255,255,255,0.8);backdrop-filter:blur(4.5px);-webkit-backdrop-filter:blur(4.5px)} .tertiary-menu ul {padding:0} .tertiary-menu li {display:inline-block} .tertiary-menu li a {display:block;cursor:pointer;padding:1.875rem .9375rem;font-size:.8125rem;font-weight:500;letter-spacing:0.025em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#B1081D;border-bottom:solid 2px transparent} .tertiary-menu li a.active {color:#222;border-color:#222} @media (max-width:700px) { .secondary-menu {display:none} } </style> <header id="site-header"> <div class="header container-max"> <div class="branding"> <a href="/" title="back to homepage"> <img class="logo" style="width:126px;height:63px;max-width: 100%;object-fit: contain; object-position: center center;" width="126" height="63" alt="New Zealand Media Council logo" data-src="/media/website_pages/templates/header/Media-council-logo.jpg" src="/media/website_pages/templates/header/Media-council-logo_126x63a.jpg" srcset="/media/website_pages/templates/header/Media-council-logo_126x63a.jpg 1x, /media/website_pages/templates/header/Media-council-logo_252x126a.jpg 2x" /> <span class="te-reo">Te kaunihera ao pāpāho o Aotearoa</span> </a> </div> <ul class="secondary-menu"> <li><a href="/contact/" title="Get in touch">Contact Us</a></li> <li><a href="/faqs/" title="Frequently Asked Questions">FAQS</a></li> <li><a href="/reports/" title="Reports">Reports</a></li> <li><a href="/news/" title="News">News</a></li> <li><a href="/about/" title="About">About Us</a></li> <li><a href="/" title="back to homepage">Home</a></li> </ul> </div> <nav class="main-navigation"> <ul class="s8-navigationPrimary s8-navigationPrimaryMobile" aria-label="Open Mobile Menu"><li><a href="#" title="Mobile Menu"><svg class="s8-navigationPrimary__hamburgerSVG" viewBox="0 0 16 16"><path class="s8-navigationPrimaryMobile-bar1" d="m 2,3 12,0"></path><path class="s8-navigationPrimaryMobile-bar2" d="m 2,8 12,0"></path><path class="s8-navigationPrimaryMobile-bar3" d="m 2,13 12,0"></path></svg><span class="s8-navigationPrimary__menuText">Menu</span></a></li></ul><ul id="primary" class="container-max s8-navigationPrimary s8-navigationPrimary-horizontal s8-navigationPrimary-openOnHover s8-navigationPrimary-preventWrap" data-mobilebreakpoint="1140px"><li><a href="/principles/">Principles<br><span>The standards we apply</span></a></li><li><a href="/complaints-procedure/">Complaints Procedure<br><span>View complaint procedure</span></a></li><li><a href="/video-on-demand-classifications-code/">VOD Classifications Code<br><span>Video-on-Demand</span></a></li><li><a href="/complaints/">Complaints<br><span>Lodge a new complaint</span></a></li><li><a href="/search/">Rulings<br><span>Search rulings</span></a></li></ul><script> (()=>{ let n = document.getElementById("primary"); if(n && window.matchMedia('(max-width: 700px)').matches || localStorage.getItem('primnavcollapse' + window.outerWidth) || n.scrollWidth > n.clientWidth) { localStorage.setItem('primnavcollapse' + window.outerWidth, true); n.classList.add('s8-navigationPrimary--displayStateMobile'); } })(); </script> </nav> </header> <script> function smoothScrollToAnchor( element, strParentElements, speed="1000", extaOffset="0" ) { element.preventDefault; var parentElements = document.querySelectorAll(strParentElements); var toElement = element.getAttribute('data-scroll-to-element'); parentElements.forEach(function(parentElement) { parentElement.classList.remove('active'); }); element.classList.add('active'); doScrolling(toElement, speed, extaOffset); } function getElementY(query, extaOffset="0") { // return window.pageYOffset + document.querySelector(query).getBoundingClientRect().top; // STEVE - added offset padding to incorportate transform on button element. // STEVE - added offset padding to incorportate transform on button element. return window.pageYOffset + document.querySelector(query).getBoundingClientRect().top + extaOffset; } function doScrolling(element, duration, extaOffset="0") { var startingY = window.pageYOffset; var elementY = getElementY(element,extaOffset); var targetY = document.body.scrollHeight - elementY < window.innerHeight ? document.body.scrollHeight - window.innerHeight : elementY; var diff = targetY - startingY; var easing = function (t) { return t<.5 ? 4*t*t*t : (t-1)*(2*t-2)*(2*t-2)+1 }; var start; if (!diff) return; window.requestAnimationFrame(function step(timestamp) { if (!start) start = timestamp var time = timestamp - start var percent = Math.min(time / duration, 1) percent = easing(percent) window.scrollTo(0, startingY + diff * percent) if (time < duration) { window.requestAnimationFrame(step) } }) } if (window.location.hash) { let strAnchor = window.location.hash.split("_") + "_reference"; let element = document.querySelector(strAnchor); if (element) { smoothScrollToAnchor(element, '.tertiary-menu a', 1000, -10); } } </script> <style> .hero{padding:1.875rem 0;} .hero a{display:block;padding:3.75rem 0;text-align:center;background-color:#fff;background-image:url(/media/website_designs/hero-bg.png);background-position:20px 20px;background-repeat:no-repeat;border:solid 1px #ccc} .hero a svg.new{height:150px;width:150px} .hero a svg.new path{stroke:#333} .hero a svg.old{max-width:280px} .hero a svg.old path{stroke:#333;stroke-dasharray:4000;stroke-dashoffset:0;animation:draw 2s linear 1} .hero a:hover{box-shadow:0 2px 5px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.3)} .hero a h2{margin-top:1.875rem;font-size:28px;letter-spacing:0.025em;color:#B1081D} .hero a h2 svg.arrow{fill:#B1081D;font-family:"icons";font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-transform:none;-webkit-font-smoothing:antialiased;-moz-osx-font-smoothing:grayscale;padding:2px 9px;margin-left:.625rem;margin-top:-6px;height:32px;width:37px;vertical-align:middle;border:solid 2px #B1081D;} .hero a h2 svg.arrow, .hero a h2 span{display:inline-block;transition:all 300ms ease;transform:translatex(0)} .hero a:hover h2 span{transform:translatex(-5px)} .hero a:hover h2 svg.arrow{transform:translatex(5px)} @keyframes animate-svg-stroke-1{0%{stroke-dashoffset:100px;stroke-dasharray:100px}100%{stroke-dashoffset:0;stroke-dasharray:100px}} @keyframes animate-svg-stroke-2{0%{stroke-dashoffset:56.48512268066406px;stroke-dasharray:56.48512268066406px}100%{stroke-dashoffset:0;stroke-dasharray:56.48512268066406px}} @keyframes animate-svg-stroke-3{0%{stroke-dashoffset:64.35524368286133px;stroke-dasharray:64.35524368286133px}100%{stroke-dashoffset:0;stroke-dasharray:64.35524368286133px}} .animate-svg-1{animation:animate-svg-stroke-1 2s linear 0s both} .animate-svg-2{animation:animate-svg-stroke-1 2s linear 0s both} .animate-svg-3{animation:animate-svg-stroke-1 2s linear 0s both} @keyframes draw{ 0%{stroke-dashoffset:4000} 100%{stroke-dashoffset:0} } </style> <section id="s8-templatessection1" class="hero s8-templates-section" style=""><div class="s8-templates-section-background" style="background-color: #dddddd;"></div><div class="s8-templates-section-background" style="background-color: #dddddd;"></div><div style="position: relative;padding-left: 1rem;padding-right: 1rem; color: #d77575;" class="s8-templates-section-content s8-templates-section-contentsize-md s8-templates-section-content-paddingleft s8-templates-section-content-paddingright"> <div class="s8-templates-row"><div class="s8-templates-row-container" style="align-items: stretch;"> <div class="s8-templates-column s8-templates-column-4"> <a href="/complaints/"> <svg class="new" fill="none" stroke-width="0.3" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" aria-hidden="true" data-slot="icon" width="24" height="24"><path class="animate-svg-1" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" d="M2.25 12.76c0 1.6 1.123 2.994 2.707 3.227 1.087.16 2.185.283 3.293.369V21l4.076-4.076a1.526 1.526 0 0 1 1.037-.443 48.282 48.282 0 0 0 5.68-.494c1.584-.233 2.707-1.626 2.707-3.228V6.741c0-1.602-1.123-2.995-2.707-3.228A48.394 48.394 0 0 0 12 3c-2.392 0-4.744.175-7.043.513C3.373 3.746 2.25 5.14 2.25 6.741v6.018Z"></path></svg> <h2> <span>Make a Complaint</span> <svg version="1.1" class="arrow" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" x="0px" y="0px" viewBox="0 0 492.004 492.004" style="enable-background:new 0 0 492.004 492.004;" xml:space="preserve"><path d="M484.14,226.886L306.46,49.202c-5.072-5.072-11.832-7.856-19.04-7.856c-7.216,0-13.972,2.788-19.044,7.856l-16.132,16.136 c-5.068,5.064-7.86,11.828-7.86,19.04c0,7.208,2.792,14.2,7.86,19.264L355.9,207.526H26.58C11.732,207.526,0,219.15,0,234.002 v22.812c0,14.852,11.732,27.648,26.58,27.648h330.496L252.248,388.926c-5.068,5.072-7.86,11.652-7.86,18.864 c0,7.204,2.792,13.88,7.86,18.948l16.132,16.084c5.072,5.072,11.828,7.836,19.044,7.836c7.208,0,13.968-2.8,19.04-7.872 l177.68-177.68c5.084-5.088,7.88-11.88,7.86-19.1C492.02,238.762,489.228,231.966,484.14,226.886z"/></svg> </h2> </a> </div> <div class="s8-templates-column s8-templates-column-4"> <a href="/search/"> <svg class="new" fill="none" stroke-width="0.3" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" aria-hidden="true" data-slot="icon" width="24" height="24"><path class="animate-s-1 animate-svg-2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" d="m21 21-5.197-5.197m0 0A7.5 7.5 0 1 0 5.196 5.196a7.5 7.5 0 0 0 10.607 10.607Z"></path></svg> <h2> <span>Search for Rulings</span> <svg version="1.1" class="arrow" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" x="0px" y="0px" viewBox="0 0 492.004 492.004" style="enable-background:new 0 0 492.004 492.004;" xml:space="preserve"><path d="M484.14,226.886L306.46,49.202c-5.072-5.072-11.832-7.856-19.04-7.856c-7.216,0-13.972,2.788-19.044,7.856l-16.132,16.136 c-5.068,5.064-7.86,11.828-7.86,19.04c0,7.208,2.792,14.2,7.86,19.264L355.9,207.526H26.58C11.732,207.526,0,219.15,0,234.002 v22.812c0,14.852,11.732,27.648,26.58,27.648h330.496L252.248,388.926c-5.068,5.072-7.86,11.652-7.86,18.864 c0,7.204,2.792,13.88,7.86,18.948l16.132,16.084c5.072,5.072,11.828,7.836,19.044,7.836c7.208,0,13.968-2.8,19.04-7.872 l177.68-177.68c5.084-5.088,7.88-11.88,7.86-19.1C492.02,238.762,489.228,231.966,484.14,226.886z"/></svg> </h2> </a> </div> <div class="s8-templates-column s8-templates-column-4"> <a href="/become-a-member/"> <svg class="new" fill="none" stroke-width="0.3" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" aria-hidden="true" data-slot="icon" width="24" height="24"><path class="animate-svg-3" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" d="M15.75 6a3.75 3.75 0 1 1-7.5 0 3.75 3.75 0 0 1 7.5 0ZM4.501 20.118a7.5 7.5 0 0 1 14.998 0A17.933 17.933 0 0 1 12 21.75c-2.676 0-5.216-.584-7.499-1.632Z"></path></svg> <h2> <span>Become a Member</span> <svg version="1.1" class="arrow" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" x="0px" y="0px" viewBox="0 0 492.004 492.004" style="enable-background:new 0 0 492.004 492.004;" xml:space="preserve"><path d="M484.14,226.886L306.46,49.202c-5.072-5.072-11.832-7.856-19.04-7.856c-7.216,0-13.972,2.788-19.044,7.856l-16.132,16.136 c-5.068,5.064-7.86,11.828-7.86,19.04c0,7.208,2.792,14.2,7.86,19.264L355.9,207.526H26.58C11.732,207.526,0,219.15,0,234.002 v22.812c0,14.852,11.732,27.648,26.58,27.648h330.496L252.248,388.926c-5.068,5.072-7.86,11.652-7.86,18.864 c0,7.204,2.792,13.88,7.86,18.948l16.132,16.084c5.072,5.072,11.828,7.836,19.044,7.836c7.208,0,13.968-2.8,19.04-7.872 l177.68-177.68c5.084-5.088,7.88-11.88,7.86-19.1C492.02,238.762,489.228,231.966,484.14,226.886z"/></svg> </h2> </a> </div> </div></div> </div></section> <section id="s8-templatessection2" class="s8-templates-section" style=""><div class="s8-templates-section-background" style=""></div><div style="position: relative;padding-left: 1rem;padding-right: 1rem;padding-top: 4rem;padding-bottom: 4rem;" class="s8-templates-section-content s8-templates-section-contentsize-md s8-templates-section-content-paddingleft s8-templates-section-content-paddingright"> <h1>The New Zealand Media Council</h1> <p>The New Zealand Media Council is an independent forum for resolving complaints about the following</p> <ul> <li>Content of newspapers, magazines and periodicals in circulation in New Zealand including their websites.</li> <li>Online content of the following broadcasters – TVNZ, Mediaworks, Whakaata Māori , NZME Radio and RNZ.</li> <li> Digital sites with news content, including blogs characterised by news commentary, that have been accepted as members of the Media Council. </li> <li> Classification of Video-on-Demand content of the following providers – TVNZ, RNZ, Whakaata Māori, Netflix, Stuff, NZME and Amazon.com. </li> </ul> <span id="s8-templatesbutton1" class="s8-templates-button s8-templates-button-classic" style=""><span class="s8-templates-button-container" style="color: #ffffff; text-align: center; background-color: #b1081d; border: 0px solid #000; border-radius: 4px; padding: 8px;"> <span class="s8-templates-button-content">Full Member List</span> </span> <a class="s8-templates-button-linkOverlay" href="/principles/#membership">Full Member List</a></span> <p><br /></p> <p> The Media Council is a self-regulatory body funded by industry; there is no cost to lodge a complaint. All complaints must have been taken to the originator of the material in the first instance and may only be brought to the Media Council if the complaint remains unresolved. </p> <p>Complaints about advertising should be directed to the Advertising Standards Authority.</p> <p> The Media Council (established as the Press Council in 1972) also lobbies on freedom of expression and freedom of the media issues. </p> <p> <span id="s8-templatesbutton2" class="s8-templates-button s8-templates-button-classic" style=""><span class="s8-templates-button-container" style="color: #ffffff; text-align: center; background-color: #b1081d; border: 0px solid #000; border-radius: 4px; padding: 8px;"> <span class="s8-templates-button-content">Council Members</span> </span> <a class="s8-templates-button-linkOverlay" href="/about/">Council Members</a></span> <span id="s8-templatesbutton3" class="s8-templates-button s8-templates-button-classic" style=""><span class="s8-templates-button-container" style="color: #ffffff; text-align: center; background-color: #b1081d; border: 0px solid #000; border-radius: 4px; padding: 8px;"> <span class="s8-templates-button-content">VOD Classification Committee Members</span> </span> <a class="s8-templates-button-linkOverlay" href="/video-on-demand-classifications-code/#committee">VOD Classification Committee Members</a></span> <span id="s8-templatesbutton4" class="s8-templates-button s8-templates-button-classic" style=""><span class="s8-templates-button-container" style="color: #ffffff; text-align: center; background-color: #b1081d; border: 0px solid #000; border-radius: 4px; padding: 8px;"> <span class="s8-templates-button-content">Latest Rulings</span> </span> <a class="s8-templates-button-linkOverlay" href="/search/">Latest Rulings</a></span> </p> <p><br /></p> </div></section> <section id="s8-templatessection3" class="gradient section-cta s8-templates-section" style="text-align: left;"><div class="s8-templates-section-background" style="background-color: #b1081d;"></div><div class="s8-templates-section-background" style="background-color: #b1081d;"></div><div style="position: relative;padding-left: 1rem;padding-right: 5rem;padding-top: 3rem;padding-bottom: 5rem; color: #FFFFFF;" class="s8-templates-section-content s8-templates-section-contentsize-md s8-templates-section-content-paddingleft s8-templates-section-content-paddingright"> <div class="s8-templates-row"><div class="s8-templates-row-container" style="align-items: center;"> <div class="s8-templates-column s8-templates-column-6"> <h4>Complaints</h4> <p>Lodge a new Complaint. <br/></p> <span id="s8-templatesbutton5" class="s8-templates-button s8-templates-button-classic" style=""><span class="s8-templates-button-container" style="color: #B1081D; text-align: center; background-color: #FFF; border: 0px solid #000; border-radius: 4px; padding: 8px;"> <span class="s8-templates-button-content">MAKE A COMPLAINT</span> </span> <a class="s8-templates-button-linkOverlay" href="/complaints/">MAKE A COMPLAINT</a></span> </div> <div class="s8-templates-column s8-templates-column-6"> <h4>Rulings</h4> <p>Search for previous Rulings. <br/></p> <span id="s8-templatesbutton6" class="s8-templates-button s8-templates-button-classic" style=""><span class="s8-templates-button-container" style="color: #B1081D; text-align: center; background-color: #FFF; border: 0px solid #000; border-radius: 4px; padding: 8px;"> <span class="s8-templates-button-content">SEARCH FOR RULINGS</span> </span> <a class="s8-templates-button-linkOverlay" href="/search/">SEARCH FOR RULINGS</a></span> </div> </div></div> </div></section> <section id="s8-templatessection4" class="s8-templates-section" style=""><div class="s8-templates-section-background" style="background-color: #ddd;"></div><div class="s8-templates-section-background" style="background-color: #ddd;"></div><div style="position: relative;padding-left: 1rem;padding-right: 1rem;padding-top: 4rem;padding-bottom: 2rem;" class="s8-templates-section-content s8-templates-section-contentsize-md s8-templates-section-content-paddingleft s8-templates-section-content-paddingright"> <div class="footerContent s8-templates-row"><div class="s8-templates-row-container" style="align-items: stretch;"> <div class="s8-templates-column s8-templates-column-4"> <h6>New Zealand Media Council</h6> <p> <span>© 2025 New Zealand Media Council.<br /> <a href="https://www.fueldesign.co.nz" title="Auckland website design" target="_blank">Website development </a> by Fueldesign.</span> </p> </div> <div class="s8-templates-column s8-templates-column-8"> <h6>Explore</h6> <ul> <li><a href="/complaints/" title="Lodge a Complaint">Complaints</a></li> <li><a href="/search/" title="Search for Rulings">Rulings</a></li> <li><a href="/privacy-statement/" title="View Privacy Statement">Privacy Statement</a></li> <li><a href="/principles/" title="The Standards We Apply">Principles</a></li> <li><a href="/about/" title="About Press Council">About Us</a></li> <li><a href="/contact/" title="Contact Press Council">Contact</a></li> </ul> </div> </div></div> </div></section> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-ESKEC4FRFE"></script><script>window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || [];function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);}gtag('js', new Date());gtag('config', 'G-ESKEC4FRFE');</script> <script src="/_public/Framework/Assets/JavaScript/server.php?js=4207854714&v=e6e9325a8c0a65d498a1a961ffd24d9b53d4ceb3&css=1860138589"></script> <script> function revealSection(element) { var elementIdentifier = '.cssReveal'; var allSections = document.querySelectorAll(elementIdentifier); var targetElement = document.querySelector(element); allSections.forEach(function(section) { section.classList.remove("show"); section.style.display = 'none'; }); targetElement.style.display = 'block'; setTimeout(function(){targetElement.classList.add("show")}, 1); /* if (targetElement.style.maxHeight) { // this is if the accordion is open targetElement.style.maxHeight = null; } else { // if the accordion is currently closed targetElement.style.maxHeight = targetElement.scrollHeight + "px"; console.log(targetElement.style.maxHeight); } */ return false; } </script> <script> (()=>{ let nRootUL = document.getElementById("primary"); if (nRootUL) new PrimaryNavigation(nRootUL, {"bOpenOnHover":true,"strOrientation":"horizontal","bPreventWrap":true,"iMobileBreakPoint":700,"classlicurrent":"current"}); })(); </script> </body></html>